Obituary of Arlene Jean McElroy

HALFMOON — Arlene J. McElroy of Halfmoon died Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Ellis Hospital. She was born in Schenectady, New York, in 1931, the daughter of the late Amelia and Frank McElroy. A graduate of Mount Pleasant High School, Albany Business College, and SUNY Albany, where she received a B.A. degree magna cum laude. Arlene was employed for 30 years at General Electric in Schenectady as a secretary, contract administrator, and administrative assistant to a Senior Vice President of Corporate Research and Development.

In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her brothers Bud and John, and sister Fran.

Survivors include her dear friend Mary Jane Mundipare, who met Arlene when she worked one summer for GE before starting her teaching career. They became lifelong friends and companions, traveling to Australia, Europe, and wintering in Venice, Florida. They shared a condo, a love of friends and relatives, and a love of freedom and the arts. Also survived by her sister Patricia Carosella, a widow, who remained close to Arlene to this day. They enjoyed traveling together to Europe, Egypt, and Turkey. In their retirement years. Arlene has been helpful to Pat in many ways.

Arlene became close to Mary Jane's family including her sister Elaine; nephew Christopher; niece Stephanie and her husband Bill and their sons, Alex and Logan. She often visited Mary Jane's sister Sylvia, her daughter Lisa, son Ken and their families, and son John. Occasionally, she went with Mary Jane to visit her aunts, Nancy and Dolly, and other relatives.

In later years, Sunday dinners at the condo became a ritual with Elaine, Mary Jane's sister, and nephew Christopher.

Arlene had a gift for friendship. She has been friends with Edwina St. John since their GE days. In her retirement she made many friends in her condo community.

She was a truly kind person—she remembered family birthdays and contributed regular monthly charitable donations. Whenever a friend or neighbor helped in some way, they were certain to receive a thank-you note and a check. She cherished her freedom, loved her family and friends, sought pursuits that challenged her—travel, theater, books—and supported liberal causes to help give everyone "a fair shot."

Arlene was a person to be respected, admired, and loved. We mourn her loss deeply.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Saturday, April 12th, 2025 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at The Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham. A prayer service will conclude the visitation and begin at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Watervliet.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders or the Food Pantries for the Capital District.

For further information or to leave a message of condolences for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.